conducting research together with remote aboriginal communities · 2017. 5. 11. · recommendation...
TRANSCRIPT
Conducting Research Together with Remote Aboriginal Communities
Presented in partnership: Annette Kogolo, Leo Thirkall, Marilyn Oscar
and Emily Fitzpatrick
Photo: Kimberley Boab at Dawn
Photo: Karningarra Walmajarri Country, Canning Stock Route My father’s country is Pirlurl, on the Great Sandy Desert
Connected to Country…
Photo: Purluwala Jila, Great Sandy Desert
Annette Kogolo Leo Thirkall
Photo: Windjana Gorge, Bunuba Country
Connected to Country…
Marilyn Oscar
• 370 million Indigenous people in the world • 90 countries • Marginalisation > Health and well being
• “Subjects” of research in “colonised” countries • Rarely benefitted the people
• How far have we come? The “language of inequality” is still used today… (L.T.Smith)
Research with Indigenous People
Seeking consent for research with Indigenous communities:
A Systematic Review Fitzpatrick E, Martiniuk AM, D’Antoine H, Oscar J, Carter M, Elliott E
• PRISMA Guidelines • Full text articles reviewed n=352 • Articles included n=56
• Evaluate the consent process n=5 • Describe the consent process in
some detail n=13 • Guidelines reviewed n=38
• Local languages • Visual Aides • Local Advice
Key Findings
• Few studies describe the process of seeking consent with Indigenous populations in detail
• Even fewer evaluate the preference or understanding of information presented
• Guidelines highlight values important to uphold but fail to specify how these are translated into practice when seeking consent
• External researchers need to reflect on how they engage with Indigenous communities in order to do research in a culturally respectful way
The Picture Talk Project:
Starting a Conversation with Community Leaders on Research with Remote
Aboriginal Communities of Australia
Fitzpatrick E, MacDonald G, Martiniuk A, D’Antoine H, Oscar J, Lawford T, Carter M, Elliott E
The Picture Talk Project
• Invited by Aboriginal Leaders • Reflecting on research processes • Collaboration with community • Local researchers – cultural guidance • Qualitative research • NVivo10 inductive/deductive coding with grounded
theory, validated locally • COREQ guidelines
The Fitzroy Valley
The Fitzroy Valley: Population 4500 95% Aboriginal 4 main language groups Fitzroy Crossing –main town Remote communities hundreds of
kilometers on open road Cut off annually by flooding in “Wet Season” December - March
Unique Challenges
Research Team
Annette Kogolo Percy Bulagardy Sandra Nuggett Joy Nuggett
June Oscar Maureen Carter Tom Lawford Heather D’Anotoine Alexandra Martiniuk Gaynor Macdonald Elizabeth Elliott Emily Fitzpatrick
Aboriginal Community Leaders of the Fitzroy Valley invited researchers from Darwin and Sydney to work in partnership
Leo Thirkall Marilyn Oscar
Working Together on Country
4 Main Language
Groups in the Fitzroy Valley
Walmajarri Wangkatjungka
Bunuba Gooniyandi
Methods
• Interviews with leaders and focus groups with community members about understanding and experiences with research and the consent process
• With consent, interviews were either written at the time or voice recorded and later transcribed to be analysed by NVivo10 Qualitative Software.
1.Research: Finding Knowledge “In the past I don’t think people who were doing the
research felt they had to consult with Aboriginal people…When you think of researchers… going on for
years on Aboriginal people. We’re the most researched group in this country and
yet nothing’s changed. I believe that if you’re going to do research we should
see changes or we should benefit you know.” (P17)
Recommendation 1:
Research protocols and ethical guidelines for research with remote Aboriginal communities should require research funding bodies and external researchers to:
Be responsive to the research needs identified by the communities
2. Working Together with
Good Communication I don’t think researchers should do research with any
Aboriginal people unless they’ve engaged fully with the Aboriginal people from the start to the end (P17)
Recommendation 2:
Research protocols and ethical guidelines for research with remote Aboriginal communities should:
Require external researchers to collaborate with a nominated representative of the Aboriginal community
who holds local respect and has strong cultural knowledge, and the right person for the right area.
This Aboriginal research partner should inform the
research project from the protocol design to completion of the project and delivery of results.
Collaborating Together
Photo: Collaborative Artwork from 4 main Language Groups, Mangkaja Art Gallery
3. Being flexible with time “If you want to do research, you can’t just set a
timeframe because you’ve got to be respectful of what’s happening around you” (P20)
“Those people on the sorry side, you’ve got to pay
respect to them, don’t get them involved with anything.” (P8)
Recommendation 3
Research protocols and ethical guidelines for research with remote Aboriginal communities should:
Require funding bodies to be more flexible in their timelines allowing for unexpected
cultural obligations.
Thank you to all participants
Photo: The Mighty Fitzroy River
Questions